but his point man on fiscal cliff negotiation struck a much different tone. if republicans don't but specifically tax rates on upper earners the white house is ready to go right over the cliff. >> we see there's no prospect to an agreement that doesn't involve those rates going up on the top 2%. >> largely backs the president on those rates. 48% support the plan to raise them on upper earners compared to 32% of leaving rates unchanged. when it comes to government spending, the gop has the edge. to help balance the budget, spending cuts should take precedence over tax hikes, 46 to 30%. and leaders in congress who met with business leaders say they have already offered to raise tax by cutting deductions and the president has yet to counter their proposal. >> i'll be here and available at any moment to sit down with the president if he gets serious about solving this problem. >> it's possible the white house may be bluffing, the administration did order the pentagon to consider the big cuts in military spending that would happen if we don't reach an agreement. i